Collins cites Kavanaugh's views on precedent in announcing her vote to confirm him
Susan CollinsU.S. senator, in her October 5, 2018 floor speech
Collins argues that Kavanaugh's approach to precedent would protect established rulings from being eroded indirectly.
“his views on honoring precedent would preclude attempts to do by stealth that which one has committed not to do overtly.”
Official statement
Original video
Other statements by Susan Collins in this case
- Collins defends Kavanaugh confirmation voteLater: Defended or excused
- Collins tells Fox News Roe would have fallen with or without KavanaughLater: Minimized
- Collins tells CNN she judged Kavanaugh on his qualificationsLater: Defended or excused
Where this statement fits
Was Susan Collins's 2018 vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh justified after Dobbs?
In 2018 Susan Collins supported Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation, citing his discussion of precedent and Roe v. Wade. He joined the 2022 Dobbs opinion overruling Roe, which Collins said conflicted with what he had told her about long-standing precedent. In June 2026 she said she did not regret the confirmation vote while disagreeing with his Dobbs vote. Her critics argue that the confirmation enabled the loss of nationwide abortion protections.
Source and context
Official statement
About this source
Collins explains why Kavanaugh's statements about precedent, Roe, and Casey informed her confirmation vote.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Original video
About this source
Collins's official channel supplies the complete floor speech explaining her confirmation decision.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Sen. Susan Collins on Judge Brett Kavanaugh's views on precedent, in her Senate floor speech announcing her vote on his nomination, Oct. 5, 2018.
Excerpt from 15:51 to 16:58 of the Senate floor video. DI added its logo in the corner.
Video: U.S. Senator Susan Collins (Senate floor video). Public domain (U.S. government work) (opens in a new tab)
Watch the full original video (opens in a new tab) (relevant passage: Full 43:42 speech, linked by Collins's official Senate statement)
Before the quotation
She says Kavanaugh treats precedent as rooted in the Constitution.
After the quotation
She recounts asking Kavanaugh whether elapsed time matters for Roe and Casey.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is Collins's intended confirmation vote. She justifies her announced vote through Kavanaugh's stated approach to precedent.
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More from this case
Read the full caseFried challenges Collins's argument about Kavanaugh's Dobbs vote
“Thus it was a five person majority without the Chief Justice that ended a federal right to abortion.”Read statement
Jackson asks whether Collins should be trusted to pick the next justice
“Would you trust her to pick the next Supreme Court justice?”Read statement
Troy Jackson says Collins's Kavanaugh vote shows she is not pro-choice
“Let's put this idea that Susan Collins is pro-choice, you know, completely behind us.”Read statement
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- Collins cites Kavanaugh's views on precedent in announcing her vote to confirm him
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The Dispute Index. "Collins cites Kavanaugh's views on precedent in announcing her vote to confirm him". First published: 2026-10-29. Last updated: 2026-10-29. https://disputeindex.com/events/7182-collins-argues-that-kavanaugh-s-approach-to-precedent